Loretta Winifred Prochaska
Loretta Winifred Prochaska entered her next life on May 18 in Phoenix, Ariz. with the love of her family, hospice, and caregivers supporting her on this journey.
“Lari” was born Sept. 23, 1915 to Guy and Fern (Keller) Deal in Ames, Iowa, the first of four daughters. She grew up with Midwestern values of family, religion, education, work and generosity to others less fortunate.
Working her way through college, she attended Iowa State University and graduated from Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa, majoring in English. Her entertaining life stories included memories of meeting a handsome football player, Bernard F. Prochaska and serving as homecoming queen.
Bernie and Lari married in 1943 and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and New Orleans, La., where Bernie was stationed as a Navy pilot. Lari enjoyed teaching English and literature in numerous Iowa farm towns and in Scottsdale, Ariz. Moving to Prescott, Ariz. in 1964, she and Bernie opened and operated pharmacies in Prescott and Bullhead City.
Lari was a charter member of Soroptomist International of Prescott. In the 1980s they retired to Yuma, Ariz. and to Polson in 2001. Lari returned to the warmer climate of Phoenix in 2006.
Lari and Bernie contributed to the Baby Boomer era, with children Jacqueline (Dolberry, Polson and Pohnpei, Micronesia) and Cory Prochaska (Phoenix). Her largest passions in life were her grandchildren, Cory Dolberry (McCall, Idaho), Shay Dolberry, (Jenni, Polson), Mark Prochaska (Beth, Ankara, Turkey), Randi Rae (deceased), Sarah Prochaska (Mesa, Ariz.), and 3.5 great-grandchildren (John, Sami, newborn Lucy and new baby in December.)
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Mildred, Thelma, and Lois, beloved granddaughter, Randi Rae, and beloved pets, Kodiak and Pugs.
An extraordinary woman, she loved Jesus and was a pillar of graciousness, humility and compassion. She was a history and political buff, traveler, excellent cook, gardener and storyteller. She constantly sought to know those in her life better and find creative ways to bless them.
This coincided with an unquenchable appetite for reading, learning, and discourse. Whenever she came across a book or article that someone would find useful or enjoyable, she never forgot to forward it to them. All those whose lives intersected Lari’s received a priceless gift and her memory remains close to our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Hospice of Arizona, Garnet Team, Tempe, Ariz.; the Soroptomist International of Prescott scholarship fund; Lake County Meals on Wheels in Polson or Hospice of Yuma.
Grave side services were held on Monday, May 23 at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. Prochaska’s family.